24 Hour cafe in Leeds?

Ames

Well, I went to the hospital today ready for my meeting with a list of things I wanted to be addressed. Only to find that there was no record of any meeting being planned. Apparantly it had happened to a few other people today too.

So I just had my usual little chat with a worker. I really wish it could be the same person, or one or two people, each time because as it is I have to keep retelling my history. Anyway, today's was an OT, and kept suggesting things I should be doing to improve my mood. She says that one of my main problems is not getting out and meeting people, so I need to build up a social life.

Brilliant! Except that everything she suggested costs money.

I told her how I'd gone on a spending spree yesterday which is a really bad thing at the moment, but she said it was good and it's important to treat yourself, especially when money's tight.

Oh and I asked again about the referrals, she said she's going to chase them up. But as she's not one of the two people with the power to make them, I'm not sure what'll come of it.

She said she's going to book me a meds review for Monday. Any bets on whether or not it'll happen this time?

Lexxi

Ames wrote: »

Well, I went to the hospital today ready for my meeting with a list of things I wanted to be addressed. Only to find that there was no record of any meeting being planned. Apparantly it had happened to a few other people today too.
I think this is naughty, I had anxiety issues and it would have taken a lot for me to go to a meeting like that so I can't imagine what it took for you, you're so brave. I do think this is one of the things you should be discussing with PALS. It's not fair on your recovery for them to do this to you, never mind anyone else

So I just had my usual little chat with a worker. I really wish it could be the same person, or one or two people, each time because as it is I have to keep retelling my history. Anyway, today's was an OT, and kept suggesting things I should be doing to improve my mood. She says that one of my main problems is not getting out and meeting people, so I need to build up a social life.

Brilliant! Except that everything she suggested costs money.
What about online support groups for your illness? It's a start and usually these internet thingys spill into real life, it may help ease you into the idea of people too. Or what about joining adult learning, you should be able to get help with some of the cost until you know what is happening with the DLA

I told her how I'd gone on a spending spree yesterday which is a really bad thing at the moment, but she said it was good and it's important to treat yourself, especially when money's tight.
I think putting yourself in a worse position isn't a great thing but if it's a little something now and again then it's ok, only if you don't feel guilty when you look at it/use it! I used to buy things to feel better, realise I wouldn't use them or wear them then take them back, it made it in to two shopping trips too!

Oh and I asked again about the referrals, she said she's going to chase them up. But as she's not one of the two people with the power to make them, I'm not sure what'll come of it.
Start a new diary to go with the food and moods, the NHS one, write down the things they promise to do or say they can offer you and if they don't deliver you will have much more of an argument when you challenge why they aren't offering you the support you need. Even if you just keep updating this thread like you have at least you will have an idea of dates to question what they are able to do for you

She said she's going to book me a meds review for Monday. Any bets on whether or not it'll happen this time?

Phone up tomorrow and ask when on Monday it is

Glad you don't mind me interferring! I hope you're feeling ok

Ames

Well, another day another show of incompetence. I went to the hospital and they gave me my meds. Except, they were wrong. I'm supposed to be on the slow release version every day, and they ordered the normal version PRN. So hopefully they can get that sorted tomorrow.

I've decided not to buy a car. I set off to look at some today but while I was stuck in traffic I started doing the sums in my head. It's just cheaper to get taxis than it is to drive. I'm worried about not being able to leave anywhere when I want, but I was also anxious about not having any savings, especially with the liability of a 12 year old (or older) car to keep on the road.

Although it does mean I can't just take off to a cafe when I get bad. I'm going to have a full clean done though so I feel safer and calmer at home.

Lexxi, thanks again for your thoughts.

What about online support groups for your illness? It's a start and usually these internet thingys spill into real life, it may help ease you into the idea of people too. Or what about joining adult learning, you should be able to get help with some of the cost until you know what is happening with the DLA

I think that'd be useful, but the OT was adamant that I have to go out and have a social life. Which is quite funny since that's the sort of thing that a lot of people think that benefits shouldn't be spent on. Adult learning's been suggested and I am going to look into it but courses wont start till September and it depends on my uni timetable.

I see what you mean about a little of what you fancy doing good, but spending money on things that aren't neccessities is a bad idea right now. Although compared to my sprees in the past, £60 isn't too bad.

Oh I've been keeping an NHS diary from the start! It began as a way of sorting out my thoughts, but rapidly became a log of how useless the hospital are. They did at least admit today that I must be feeling let down by them and said sorry. I don't think that's enough though and I'm still going to go ahead with a complaint. Before I go I'm going to try and get a copy of my notes.

I asked today when the review is on Monday, and for updates on any referrals, and info on how many days I've been cut down to. But nobody got back to me. It's hard to find the same member of staff twice in a row because they're in and out all the time.

I think I've realised why patients keep disappearing. They're not being discharged, they're just realising that the hospital is causing more problems than it's curing... (joke. Well, mostly).

patchwork_cat

Ames wrote: »

So I just had my usual little chat with a worker.

Brilliant! Except that everything she suggested costs money.

I told her how I'd gone on a spending spree yesterday which is a really bad thing at the moment, but she said it was good and it's important to treat yourself, especially when money's tight.

What sort of worker was this? This is very silly advice IMO!

Ames

It was an OT. At the hospital there's doctors (I've seen one once), nurses, OTs, and healthcare assistants.

I've had lots of silly advice, although most of it well meaning. The worst was the nurse who gave me 'advice' on benefits that would have left me in even worse trouble if I'd tried to follow it. She also said that they can't take my car as it leaves me with no other form of transport. They can, and are doing next week.

That's another problem with the hospital, different workers don't stick to their area of expertise, which gets confusing. And it's not organised so, for instance, you see a nurse x times, an OT y times etc. They just assign you a worker every morning and afternoon and they can be anything (other than a doctor, they only see you if you've got an appointment. In theory).

There's also supposed to be group sessions every morning and afternoon, but usually ends up not being.

Meds are delivered by taxi once a day, so if there's a problem you have to wait till the next day.

It's just really shambolic.

And I'm sure they don't read all the notes before meeting with you. Or even at all. I said quite clearly in A&E when I had my assessment that when I've achieved x, my plan is to kill myself. At the hospital, they're really positive and encouraging about me doing y, which is the action to achieve x. Which is bizarre. I mentioned it again to the OT yesterday when it finally occurred to me that either no-one's read the file properly or it wasn't put in in the first place. She shrugged it off as doing y is good and will lead to making friends.

Like I said, it's all a mess.

Savvy_Sue

Our adult learning does a few 'summer schools' over the holidays, the odd Saturday course - languages, cookery, films etc. Could be worth a look.

Lexxi

I was just going to suggest too until I saw Sue beat me to it, they have taster classes through the summer at mine. Ours also does excercise classes too, things like breathing and meditation. Something like that might help when you're feeling panicky through the night, especially if you're not able to get out the same.

I think just because the OT thinks that you should get out and make friends doesn't mean it will happen in an instant, friendships need building. Otherwise you may risk feeling in a worse position if it doesn't work out. I'd definately start online and see where you go with it. There's got to be hundreds of 'passed from pillar to post at xxx hospital' forums, well maybe not quite but you know what I mean. You may also find that someone could tell you something that worked for them and everything clicks for you, because as much as you're enjoying my interferring I am just another person offering advice and meaning well.

I'm so sorry that you feel so let down by your hospital. I've only seen the same doctor at my local practice about twice and I know how frustrating that is for me so I can't imagine what it's like for you with all these other departments being involved too.

I am pleased to hear that you have made a decision over the car/cleaning, hopefully once you are re-assesed they will be able to look at the car situation too. Until it's reassesed you will have a lovely, shiny, clean place to live. I am jealous!

Ames

I've had a look for courses through summer but they're only taster courses for September in subjects like beauty therapy and welding.

There's an art class for mental health service users that I'm thinking about asking for a referral to. I've always been rubbish at art, but I wouldn't mind having a go at some abstract stuff. Then in September there's a few hobby type courses, but that'll depend on my uni timetable.

Well, today there were only a couple of glitches at the hospital. Firstly, my review has changed from Monday to Wednesday. For some reason no-one booked it for tomorrow, and the staff are very sorry. I'm thinking about getting in touch with PALS to find out how many times I should have seen a doctor since I've been there, I'm sure it should have been more than once.

All the time I've been there I've been told not to worry about getting there, that they'll pay for taxis and it'll all be fine. Since my car's going back in a few days I thought I ought to ease myself in and go by taxi a few times before I have no choice. So I asked today and they don't pay for taxis, they reimburse the bus fare. Which leaves me wondering how on earth I'll pay about £30 a week for taxis to get there. Unless the guy today was wrong and the others were right.

It's really starting to get to me that everyone I speak to gives me a different answer to the same questions.

patchwork_cat

Ames wrote: »

I've had a look for courses through summer but they're only taster courses for September in subjects like beauty therapy and welding.

There's an art class for mental health service users that I'm thinking about asking for a referral to. I've always been rubbish at art, but I wouldn't mind having a go at some abstract stuff. Then in September there's a few hobby type courses, but that'll depend on my uni timetable.

Well, today there were only a couple of glitches at the hospital. Firstly, my review has changed from Monday to Wednesday. For some reason no-one booked it for tomorrow, and the staff are very sorry. I'm thinking about getting in touch with PALS to find out how many times I should have seen a doctor since I've been there, I'm sure it should have been more than once.

All the time I've been there I've been told not to worry about getting there, that they'll pay for taxis and it'll all be fine. Since my car's going back in a few days I thought I ought to ease myself in and go by taxi a few times before I have no choice. So I asked today and they don't pay for taxis, they reimburse the bus fare. Which leaves me wondering how on earth I'll pay about £30 a week for taxis to get there. Unless the guy today was wrong and the others were right.

It's really starting to get to me that everyone I speak to gives me a different answer to the same questions.

What about patient transport? There might also be a volunteering transport?

Ames

I don't think there is patient transport, everyone there has either made their own way or got a taxi. It's not at a main hospital, it's a specialist day unit in an outpatients place, not on the normal patient transport route.